Holy Spirit as helper leading us to new realities

One of the CWM’s strategic pillars discovered in our time, is the concept of partnership in mission. Prof Hewitt used to say “Beware of mission lone rangers as they are dangerous to God’s mission.” After my theological studies in RSA, in 2014 I was appointed as a mission secretary in CCM up to now. So, in 2016 this concept of partnership was employed, CCM with the help of CWM and Churches Action Relief development (CARD) was involved in a community development project which targeted winter crop irrigation farming in three districts of Balaka, Mangochi and Phalombe in the southern region of Malawi. The three districts where adversely affected by floods of 2014/2015 growing season. In this project, 301 farmers were given 5 kgs maize seed, 10 kgs basal dressing fertilizers and 10 kgs top dressing fertilizers.

Through this partnership with CARD I gained knowledge of community engagement that I will use in other CCM initiated programmes.

On the same concept of partnership in mission, the youth invited me as a guest speaker during the October 2021 annual youth conference held in Dedza district in Malawi and the theme was based on Colossians 3:2. Though ordained but youth ministry which I embraced during TIM 95/96 is still alive within myself. At the youth conference, about 500 gathered together to praise and worship God, sharing the word of God, receiving teachings on giving and also doing some sporting activities with fellow youth from the area where the conference was held.

rev. Goodwin Zainga during the verification exercise of the community engagement programme.

Conclusion

My sincere thanks also go to the following TIM 95/96 members:

Ye Yi-yung – Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) Ann San-joo – Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK) Tang Charles Chu-yin – Hong Kong Council of the Churches of Christ in China (HKCCCC) Lisa Lewis – United Church Jamaica and Cayman Islands (UCJCI) Vinise Moananu – Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) Sepola Matusi – Ekalesia Kelesia Tuvalu (EET) Marion Llewellyn – United Church of Scotland (UCS) Garth Frazer – United Church in Canada (UCC) John Pakiarajah Bose – Church of South India (CSI) Jose Macauze – United Congregation Church of Southern Africa, Mozambique Synod (UCCSA) Tshireletso Kenneth Tlhabiwa – United Congregation Church of Southern Africa, Botswana Synod (UCCSA).